M2 Antenna Systems 80M2L User manual

9/12/12
Rev.02
Model ........................................ 80M2L
Frequency Range switchable .... 3.50-3.565 & 3.75-3.82
Gain ........................................... 6.0 dBi Free space
Front to back.............................. 15 dB
Beamwidth ............................... E=71°
Feed type................................... Hair pin match
Feed Impedance........................ 50 Ohms Unbalanced
Maximum VSWR ....................... 1.2:1 / 2:1@band edges
Input Connector ......................... SO-239, Other avl.
Power Handling ......................... 3 kW, Higher avl.
Boom Length / Dia..................... 29.5’ / 3.0 x .125 Wall
Element Length / Dia. ................ 105 Ft / 3” to 1/2”
Turning Radius: ......................... 55’ Ft
Stacking Distance ...................... Call
Mast Size ................................... 2” to 3 ” Nom.
Wind area / Survival .................. 19.5 Sq. Ft. / 100 MPH
Weight / Ship Wt. ....................... 200Lbs. / 295 Lbs.
M2 Antenna Systems, Inc.
Model No: 80M2L
SPECIFICATIONS:
M2 Antenna Systems, Inc. 4402 N. Selland Ave. Fresno, CA 93722
Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone] Web: www.m2inc.com
©2014 M2 Antenna Systems Incorporated
*Subtract 2.14 from dBi for dBd
FEATURES:
The recently computer upgraded and improved 80M2L is now even better, both mechanically and electrically.
Gain is up by .6 dB over older versions and efficiency is now over 95%! This is accomplished by using low loss 3/8” alu-
minum tube for the linear loading elements. Element halves start with 3” diameter tubing and taper through 2”, 1-3/4”, 1-
1/2”, 1-1/4”, 1” and 3/4”, 1/2” sections to the 3/8” tips. Machined saddle clamps have replaced the U-bolts previously
used. A solid 2” O.D. Fiberglass rod, sleeved to the 3” elements, serves as the center insulator.
The new, highly efficient 3/8” tube linear loading system is supported above the boom and out of the element
plane to reduce inductive cancellation, provide element support, and minimize excessive element droop. New, rugged
linear loading shorting bars now allow easier assembly and adjustment. A weather proof fiberglass housing now protects
the 5 kW 1:1 balun, the relays for phone-CW switching and the high Q (600+) CW band coils. These top quality compo-
nents are now accessible for frequency adjustments in the 3.5 to 3.6 MHz section of the band. Relays requires 12 VDC at
0.3A supply. Look forward to outgunning even the best of the 4 squares! Parts are available for upgrading older 80M2’s.

OVERVIEW: Feel free to change order of assembly to fit your space needs.
Once fully assembled or even in pieces, this antenna is LONG. Assemble the center section to the 2”
diameter point. Then assemble the element tip sections from the 1-3/4 inch diameter section out. Use the
length and hardware sizes called out on the DIMENSION AND ASSEMBLY DRAWING. Penetrox (zinc
paste) has been supplied to be used on the threads of bolts and screws, as well as every aluminum joint.
1. Locate the large, 36” long 2” diameter fiberglass rod used as center insulator. The rod has 4 bushings or
coupling rings and the rod may be labeled to match two 3 " x 180”' inner element sections. Using four
machined 2” saddles, attach the center insulator to a 8" x 8" x 1/4" element to boom plate. Use the 3/8-16 x
3-1/2” stainless bolts and locknuts. Rotate the 2” rod so the holes through the coupling rings are up or
Perpendicular to the plate. Center the insulator on the plate and tighten the 3/8” hardware.
2. Assemble the center section of each element. Slip on the butt sections and NOTE THE LARGE 1/2”
HOLES AT THE OPPOSITE END OF THE SECTIONS ARE FACING THE SAME DIRECTION. Insert a
1/4-20 x 3-3/4” bolt UP through the inner hole and add a plain nut. Use 1/4-20 x 3-1/2” bolts and
LOCKNUTS through the outer set of holes. NOTE: The longer inner bolts now form studs where the CW
LOADING/SWITCHING assembly is attached later in the assembly. Tighten all hardware. Repeat for each
element. All the center sections are the same.
3. Locate the 1/2” x 4-1/2 “ aluminum rods and attach the 3/4” square rod tips and secure each with an 8-32
x 1-1/4” screw and locknut and tighten. Assemble all at this time.
4. Insert the completed rod assembly near the outer end of the 3" sections . Attach with 1/4-20 x 3/4" bolts
and lock washers. BUT DO NOT TIGHTEN YET. Now orient the rod assembly so the 3/8” holes at the
ends are parallel with the element and tighten the bolts. Add the 1/4-20 x 1-1/4” bolts and locknuts, finger
tight at this time.
5. Next, install the completed rod assemblies into the 1/2” hole at the butt of the 2” x 48” element section.
Again attach with 1/4-20 x 3/4” bolts and lock washers. Now orient the rod assembly so the 3/8” holes at
the ends are parallel with the element and tighten the bolts. Add the 1/4-20 x 1-1/4” bolts and locknuts
finger tight at this time.
80M2L ASSEMBLY MANUAL

6. Insert each 2-3/4 x 8” fiberglass sleeve insulator into the outer end of the 3” element butts and add the 1
-4-20 x 3-1/2” bolts and locknuts finger tight. NOTE: The REFLECTOR requires a special 3” X .125 X 180”
tube to accept a 3” x 41” “EXTENDER” section. Now insert the 2” x .125 x 48” section into the insulator and
align the holes. Make sure the 1/2” post assembly installed in step #4, points opposite from the post
assembly in the 3” element section. Install the 1/4-20 x 3-1/2 bolts and locknuts and NOW TIGHTEN all 4
bolts. Repeat for the other element halves.
7. Add a 3/8” tube to each inner and outer post (SEE DIMENSION SHEET). Insert it through the hole
about 1 inch, and tighten the 1/4-20 x 1-1/4” bolt and locknut. Do both elements this way.
8. Loosely install five (5) 1/4-20 x 1” screws and locknuts in pairs of “linear loading shorting bars”. Refer to
the DIMENSION SHEET for the shorting bar positions for the linear loading tubes. Use a permanent
marking pen or a ring of masking tape to mark the shorting bar position on the 3/8” tubes. Prepare the
5/16” turnbuckles by removing the “hook” end of each turnbuckle and add a 5/16-18 nut on the threads all
the way to the hook. Now replace the hook end into the turnbuckle body and adjust the threaded ends so
that just one thread “shows” inside the body of the turnbuckle. Add a 1/4” cable eye to each “eye” of the
turnbuckles. Now hook the turnbuckles into the turnbuckle plate.
9. Refer to the TYPICAL HARDWARE ARRANGEMENT drawing. Slide one loosely assembled shorting
bar pair onto the two tubes to the marks. Tighten one outside screw just enough to hold the shorting bar in
position. Insert the 18” section of HPTG-4000 Phillistran cord into the two center grooves in the shorting
bar pair. Note one groove is dead center and the other is offset. The long end of the cord should come
out the “centered” groove. The short end should loop around and come back out about 2”. Now tighten the
rest of the screws in the shorting bars.
10. Route the black Philistran cord around the thimble in the turnbuckle eye and back on itself. Keep this
length between the eye and the shorting bar pair no more than 3” in length. Now lift the linear loading
tubes and pull the cord until the tubes are under tension. Install the cable clips and tighten. .
80M2L ASSEMBLY MANUAL

11. Now, begin tensioning the linear loading tubes using the turnbuckles. If you run out of adjustment,
relax the turnbuckle again and pull more slack with the cord. Then re-tighten the clips and tension again
with the turnbuckles. Adjust tension until each INNER 3” element is flat and not bowed up.
Final adjustment of the wire tensioning is done after the element is complete and even on the mast.
NOTE: THESE TUBES FORM THE ELEMENT LINEAR LOADING AND ALSO HELP TO SUPPORT THE
ELEMENT HALVES AND MINIMIZE DROOP.
12. Now assemble the outer element sections together (1-3/4” through 3/8”) using the supplied 8-32
hardware. See the 80M Dimensions and Assembly Sheet as a guide. Next, install the assemblies (1-3/4”
through 3/8”) to the ends of the 2” elements using 1/4-20 x 2-1/2” bolts and locknuts. This can be done
later as well.
PLEASE NOTE: THE REFLECTOR ELEMENT USES A 3/4” X 60” ELEMENT SECTION WITH A 5/8” X
18” INNER SLEEVE.
13. Assemble the boom beginning with the 60” BOOM SPLICE. Check the machined surfaces of the
splice bushings. File off any rough spots, LUBRICATE lightly with oil and gently slide into the drilled
end of either boom section (they are identical). Install two 3/8-16 x 4-1/2" bolts, lockwashers, and nuts
but do not tighten yet. Now slide on the remaining boom section, add the hardware, and tighten all four
bolts.
14. Install the forged eyebolts (with cables and turnbuckles) to the holes 3 feet from boom ends. Attach
the 12" x 12" x 3/8" BOOM TO MAST PLATE to the boom using the 4" Saddles and 3/8" stainless steel
nuts and lock washers. Tighten just enough to keep from slipping as final alignment of the elements will
be adjusted later. Install a temporary 2” x 6 to 8 foot mast to the boom side of the plate with a two 2”
Heavy Duty (3/8") U-bolts. Mount the large turnbuckle plate about 4 feet up to the boom side of the mast
using two standard 2" U-bolts (5/16" hdwe.). Uncoil the guy cables. Open the turnbuckles until just one
thread shows inside the body. Raise the turnbuckle plate until cables are tensioned and boom is
straight. Then adjust the BOOM TO MAST plate position so cables are tensioned the same and the
mast is perpendicular to the boom. TIGHTEN THE BOOM TO MAST PLATE IN POSITION.
NOTE: The temporary mast MAY be left in position as a support and stabilizing member while
lifting the completed antenna into position on the tower.
ELEMENT MOUNTING:
15. Place the reflector assembly on one end of the boom with the riser nearest the end of the boom.
Secure with 4” saddle pairs and 3/8-24 x 5-1/2” bolts and locknuts. Install the REFLECTOR RELAY-COIL
assembly, facing the two 1/4” stud posts toward the element. Add the two aluminum angle jumpers from
the housing studs using flat washers and locknuts. Use a 4” U-bolt to hold the assembly on the boom.
Push it against the boom to element plate and drop the jumpers over the studs on the elements. Add a flat
washer and locknut to the element bolt and tighten. Tighten the nuts on the Relay–Coil assembly. Tighten
the U-bolt. REPEAT this step for the driven element assembly at the other end of the boom.
16. Align elements with each other and at right angles to the forged eyebolts and the boom to mast
plate. Tighten the U-bolts securely.
80M2L ASSEMBLY MANUAL

17. Insert the 3/8 x 72” HAIRPIN tubes into the block connectors on the driven element relay switch
box , align the tubes and lightly tighten one set screw in each block with an 1/8” Allen wrench. Add 2
set screws to the HAIRPIN SHORTING BAR and slide the bar onto the ends of the tubes. Set the bar
to the recommended dimension on the DIMENSION SHEET and lightly tighten the set screws. Place
a 1/4-20 x 4-1/2” bolt through the stainless BAND CLAMP and attach the clamp assembly around the
boom under the Shorting Bar. Run a 1/4-20 nut onto the bolt and slide the shorting bar over the stud.
Align the assembly and tighten the band clamp. Add a locknut nut to the stud and tighten the shorting
bar in position. Now tighten all the set screws in this assembly. THIS DC GROUNDS THE DRIVEN
ELEMENT ASSEMBLY. Final adjustment of the hairpin match and driven element linear loading
jumper positions may be done (if necessary) after final installation is complete.
18. Wire up the Relay-Coil housings by running a #20 AWG or larger twisted pair, shielded wire, OR
RG-58AU between the reflector and driven element switching terminals Or to a common point near
the center of the boom. Also connect a 12 VDC supply lead to this junction or to the driven element
terminals and route back to center of boom. Tie all shields together. Each relay is simply in parallel
with the other and CW is activated when 12 VDC is applied to the leads. There is no polarity
requirement. The shield of the main lead should be grounded at the SHACK end. The shield should
eliminate any RF from getting into the shack. DO NOT SWITCH FROM PHONE TO CW WHILE
TRANSMITTING AS RELAY DAMAGE MAY OCCUR. Connect a length of 50 ohm feedline to the
connector and route back to center of boom. Secure coax and 12 VDC wires with nylon ties or
equivalent.
19. Lastly if not already done, Install all the outer element sections to the inner element assemblies
already installed on the boom. See Dimension Sheet for section size, length, and hardware.
20. Equalize linear loading / element support by adjusting 5/16” turnbuckles holding the fiberglass
spacers at the center of the element. All elements should droop equally. Do not attempt to
“gullwing” elements - they are more stable in the wind if 3" inner sections are level or droop slightly
below horizontal and outer sections are permitted to droop roughly 4-5’. When adjustments are
complete, tighten 5/16 jam nuts on the upper end of the turnbuckles.
NOTE: The standard balun in the DRIVEN element relay housing is made of Teflon coax and
uses NO ferrite. It will handle 3500 watts of continuous RF and peaks of 5KW energy as with SSB
or CW. However there may be situations where higher power handling is advantageous. CONTACT
M2 FOR RECOMMENDATIONS FOR A 10 KW VERSION.
CAREFULLY MANUFACTURED BY:
M2ANTENNA SYSTEMS, INC.
4402 N. Selland Ave.
FRESNO, CA 93722
[phone] FAX [phone]
www.m2inc.com Email: [email protected]
80M2L ASSEMBLY MANUAL

80M2L ASSEMBLY DETAILS

80M PHONE/CW SWITCHING OPTIONS

80M2L DIMENSION SHEET

GENERIC COMPRESSION CLAMP DETAIL

DESCRIPTION ...............................................................................QTY
Boom section 4 X .125 X 180" ALUM. TUBE.................................2
Boom Splice, bushed, 3.5 x 60” alum.............................................1
Inner Element , 3 X .125 X 180" (Reflector) ...................................2
Inner Element, 3 x .125 x 180” (Driven Element) ...........................2
Inner Element Extension (Reflector) 3 X .125 X 41” SOE..............2
Element, 2 X .125 X 48" DOE to fit 1-3/4” ....................................4
Element, 1-3/4 X .058 X 60" SOE ..................................................4
Element, 1-1/2 x .058 x 60" SOE....................................................4
Element, 1-1/4 x .058 x 60" SOE....................................................4
Element, 1 x .058 x 60" SOE .........................................................4
Element, 3/4 x .049 x 48" SOE.......................................................4
Element Sleeve, 5/8 x .058 x 18” ...................................................2
Element, 1/2 x .049 x 60”................................................................2
Element, 1/2 x .049 x 60" (NO HOLES) .........................................2
Element, 3/8 x .049 x 36" (NO HOLES) .........................................2
Linear loading tube, 3/8 x .049 x 207” ............................................2
Linear loading tube, 3/8 x .049 x 194” ............................................2
Linear loading tube, 3/8 x .049 x 177” ............................................2
Linear loading tube, 3/8 x .049 x 164” ............................................2
Hairpin tube, 3/8” x 72” ...................................................................2
Insulator, center assembly, 2 x 36" fiberglass rod & bushings.......2
Riser, element support ass’y, 1-1/2 x .125 x 36", welded. .............2
Boom support cable ass’y, 154" x 3/16" w. eyebolts, turnbuckles .2
80M2LLA assembly manual ...........................................................1
SMALL PARTS BOX
Riser bracket, 3 x 4 x 1/4 angle, welded, aluminum.......................2
Rod end, linear loading, 3/4 sq. x 1-13/16” ....................................8
Linear loading support rod, 1/2 x 4-1/2" alum. ...............................8
Shorting bar halves, 1/4 x 3/4 x 7.25” mach. Alum. .......................8
Phillistran cable, HPTG-4000 x 40” ................................................4
Element insulator sleeves, 2-3/4 x 8” fiberglass............................
4
Band clamp, 4-12” stainless, modified with 1/4” hole....................1
Shorting bar, hairpin, 1/2 x 1/2 x 5” alum. ....................................1
Boom to mast plate, 12 x 12 x .375 alum. ....................................1
Main turnbuckle plate, 4 x 6 x .25 alum..........................................1
Plate, element mounting, 8 x 8 x .25 alum .....................................2
Saddle clamp, 4".............................................................................12
Saddle clamp, 2”.............................................................................8
U-bolt, 2" heavy duty, 3/8" ..............................................................4
U-bolt, 2" standard, 5/16" ...............................................................2
U-bolt, 1-1/2” ..................................................................................4
Compression Clamp, 5/8” .............................................................4
Compression Clamp, 1/2” .............................................................2
Turnbuckles, 5/16” hook and eye ...................................................4
80M2L PARTS & HARDWARE